NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 13

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Br Qlxncoi.]

Racing will be resumed at Wanganui to-day, when the Jackson Stakes and Wanganui Stakes will be decided. The former race is one of the very few real weight-for-age events Tun in the Dominion, and contestants are not asked to carry penalties, neither are allowances given. The field to-Uay is likely to consist of: Boanerges (A. Oliver), Royal Scotch (R. Hatch), Autumnua (P. E. Jones), Ermengarde (C. Brown). Styx (B. Decler), Stepney (C. Carraont), Rangiatua (W. Bell), Byron (H. Gray). TVord has been received from Hawera of the death of the thoroughbred Clemora (St. Clements—Tamora). The baj horso Bhowed brilliancy in several of his races, but last season he became 60 unsound that he had to be retired to the stud. He was owned by Mr. M. J. Goodson, of Hawera. Ineuru, winner of the Petre Handicap at Wanganui, is one of the best hacks over sprint distances this season. She won_ on Thursday in a commanding fashion, and though tho course was very fast, there is much merit attached to the performance of any hack who can mn 6 furlongs from a standing start in lmin. Usee. Tho official time for the open Flying Handicap was returned as lmin. 11 2-ssec, but several, watches were out of agreement with this. They made Gipsy 80110 break lmin. Usee. Royal Scotch did not got the best of runs in the Flying Handicap at Wanganui, and for a furlong he was badly jammed in between two horses. This allowed Gipsy Belle and Bootle toget a big break on the field, which Mr. colt was unable to make up. Ono of the unfortunate horses in the Wanganui Cup was Midnight Sun. In the early part of tho'Tace he was running third, but ho and Bronze collided, and tho colt received tho worst of matters. When going back he was cannoned into by Domino, and ovcntually reached the tail of the field. While her condition lasted, Mcrrivonia ran a good raco :n the Wanganui Cup, and, half a mile from home,, she was alongside Bronze and Doarast, who were just behind Kauroa. The last-named then stopped, and the Wellington mare also cried "Pcccavi." Bronze then cleared from the field, but Dearest was bandy, and, at three furlongs, she appeared to be going as well as Bronze. However, the Awapuni mare had much in reservp, and won handsomely, while Dearest seemed to tire badly in the last furlong. Tho total isator arrangements at the Wanganui .loekev Club's meeting were condemned on all sides and thousands of pounds wore shut out during the day. Tho absence of races leading up to the windows wa3 responsible for a great deal of jostling and pushing, and this apparently was suitable for tho hands of tho pickpockets, who'were present in force on the course. Ono prominent owner was relieved of £!a. One of the surprises of the Wanganui Cup field was the good showing made by Uhlando. Ho was prominent behind Kauroa- in the early stages, but then dropped out, to come again at the finish with a good run that carried him into sixth position. Undecided received a severe bump in the Wanganui Cup, and wit? once nearly down. He finished on well,' tad wm

fourth when the post was reached. The two Auckland representatives, Domino and Maxwell, could not act in the going. Which was not what they are used to. Their defeats were costly to thoir followers—especially so in the case of Maxwell, who had registered a sterling gallop before leaving Ellerslie.

Mr. E. J. Watt, of Hastings, .left for Sydney last ovoning, and took with him tho racehorses Ireland and the Charlemagne ll—Elysium colt, which he purcluiHlil in November. The Hawke's Bay Qiviier will bs absent in Australia oyer Easter, and Ireland will raco for him in Australia. Both horses are to go into Harry Bay tier's stables at Ifandwick. The two-year-old Mcrton changed hands recently, nnd is now trained by Atlas White at Hastings. This makes the second horse'that Mr. Watt has sold in a short space of time, tho other being Pot Luck, for whom Mr. G. D. Beatson gave 250 guineas, and who won a race tho following week at Gisbome. The hurdle horse Captain was eont homo to Palmerstan North yesterday, and will not bo seen out at Wanganui to-day. The Wairarapa-bred Gravitation, who has done three seasons at the stud, is again working on tho tracks at Wanganui, and is looking really well. He seems to bo quite sound, but whether ho will tfand up to a preparation.'is doubtful. Splendid acceptances have been reooived for the second day's racing at Wanganui. There are twelve horses paid up for in the Stewards' Handicap, and the whole of them can be relied upon to see tho post. The public will select Miscal, who got a very ba<l run on the first day. and Plantation, who is to have Deeley's services today. Clemoes, who finished very fast in the open Flying Handicap, should find plenty of support in the six furlongs Hack Tace, so will Aloha, Nukuatu, and Royal Simon, ridden by Deeley, Price, and Gray respectively. On the traoka at Wanganui to-day. Ermengardo and Autumnus ran fivo furlongs on the oourso propor in lmjn. 2seo. The gallop was done from a flying start, and both horses had their shoes on. The Highden bracket (Ermengarde and Boanerges) will he tho public choice, with Autumnus and Styx in that order. The connections of tho last-named claim that Thursday's race will do tho Achilles colt a lot of good. Immediately on the appearance of the acceptances for Wanganui to-day, the double Dearest and Gladiole was backed at ft vory short price, and both mares ore assured favourites to-day. Tho former got galloped on in the Cup, but the damage is only slight, while Uladiolo will be a fresh mare. Yesterday morning she ran three furlongs in 37sec. under a big pull, and this favourably impressed track watchers.

Cornelian's time in the Hack Hurdles nt Wanganui on Thursday was a record for New Zealand, tho previous best being 3min. Msec, run by Ataahua on the same course.

FIXTURES. March 2—Wanganui J.C. Autumn. March 6 and 7—Dannevirke R.C. Autumn, March 13 and 14—Napier Park R.C,

Autumn. March 18—Opunake R.C. Annual. March 20 and 21—Nelson J.C. Annual. March 28 and 29—Masterton R.C. Autumn,